Energy

Aerodynamics of wind turbinesThe unsteady aerodynamics of wind turbines can easily beanalyzed in XFlow’s virtual wind tunnel. The rotor can eitherspin freely due to the torque exerted by the wind or enforcedmotion can be applied . The simulation can assess the efficiencyof the turbine and predict loads on blades, wake turbulenceintensity, or interference effects in wind farms.

Free surfaceMulti body dynamics can be coupled to free surface analysis.For example devices that extract energy from sea waves areallowed to move, and the constraints between the differentbodies can be virtual joints or forced by the contact between thereal geometries.

Natural convectionThe thermal solver allows you to simulate flows driven bynatural or forced convection for energy transformation devices,such as a solar tower. In this case the air contained in a collectoris heated by the sun, and the resulting natural convection causesair to rise up the tower and to move a turbine, which produceselectricity.